There seems to be an anti-pro attitude that is pervading triathlon in Australia. Many age-group athletes are under the misguided impression that pros have it pretty easy. ‘I mean, all they do all day is prance around in the latest designer lycra, getting paid to get a tan.’

Sure, they see the sponsors, the latest equipment, the clothing, the trophies, and the travel: in short, the glamorous side. The problem is, however, that’s often all they see.

The poorest people as a group in triathlons are the pros.

This is a very, very tough way to make a living. The majority of pro triathletes live a hand-to-mouth existence. I also know of a few age-group athletes with sponsorships I’m extremely envious of. I have been in this sport for seventeen years because I love it, and yet it is only in the last three years that I have made anything above a subsistence living.

In comparison, if seventeen years ago, I had chosen a different career path what would I be earning now, if I were a doctor, teacher, pro swimmer or footballer? Also, consider the fact that I am the Australian champion (after seventeen long hard years) and in light of that, imagine how tough the rest of the Australian pros are doing it.

Professional triathletes are at the frontline to the general public for this sport, and if they are unable to make a decent living out of it, then it augurs very badly for the longevity of the sport of triathlon.

A prime example of what-you-see is-not-what-you-get when it comes to the life of pro triathletes is the case of a young female member of the Australian pro team.

Unfortunately just before a recent race, her bike was stolen. So firstly, she is prevented from racing, and thus earning her living because she did not have the equipment; and secondly, she then had to repay the so-called ‘bike-sponsor’ the value of the bike that was effectively on loan. A lot of sponsorships do not just give you the equipment, they loan it to you.

Talk about a double whammy!

Now she is out of pocket for a bike she doesn’t even have, and without it, is left unable to earn the money to pay for it.

So why become a professional triathlete then? I am a pro because I love it and because I have found myself in the unique position of getting paid to be a triathlete in the form of prize money and sponsorship endorsements. I am very fortunate that I have great sponsors who support me, who I can work with, and who also allow me to make a living.

However, every perk of being pro is performance based: sponsorship, prize money, travel, everything. So, the bottom line is, if I do not race well, then I do not eat. It is a cutthroat business.

Don’t get me wrong; pro triathletes can also be their own worst enemies. Some pro license holders will, in order to make the team for World Championships, race as an age grouper to qualify and then again as an age grouper at the World Championships. I personally feel like this is wrong and personally would never do this whilst I continue to race as a pro.

If I can’t qualify for the team as a professional then I won’t go, but each to their own.

Professional triathletes can, at times, conduct themselves in a most unprofessional manner. Rather than grizzle about how hard it is to get sponsorship in Australia, what they need to do is make themselves more presentable and marketable for potential sponsors. Time and again leading athletes, knowing full well that media and sponsors will be attending, turn up to awards presentations looking and sounding like yobbos.

If they presented themselves with a more professional attitude, appearance and something thoughtful to say, then sponsors and media would see that they have more to offer. Sponsors don’t only want the athlete with good results; they want the athlete that will best represent them and their products.

We need to stop this attitude of ‘us and them’, which only serves to divide people. Instead of looking over the fence to see which side is greener, we should realize that both sides have their positives and negatives. We are all in this sport together and ultimately we are all involved in triathlon because we love it.

There are enough obstacles faced in raising the profile of triathlon in Australia. So instead of working against each other, which is destructive for our sport, let’s work together constructively to promote the sport for the benefit of age-groupers and pros alike.